Barafundle Beach in Pembrokeshire has been named one of Britain's finest beaches by Timeout for 2026, and a recent visit during a coastal hike confirmed it exceeds every expectation. The secluded cove features golden sand and turquoise waters backed by dunes and pine trees, offering a setting that rivals the Caribbean.
Timeout's 2026 List Includes Six Welsh Beaches
Timeout's list of the 40 best beaches in the UK for 2026 includes six from Wales, spanning from Anglesey in the north to the Gower Peninsula in the south. Their travel writers considered heavenly views, crystal-clear waters, and marine life. Barafundle Beach was also commended, having previously placed second in Holidu's list of best European beaches, beating Mwnt Beach.
Remote Beauty Requires a Short Walk
Managed by the National Trust, Barafundle Beach is a remote, crescent-shaped beach accessible via a 0.5-mile walk from Stackpole Quay car park. There are no facilities on the beach, so visitors must carry out all rubbish. The beach is part of the Wales Coast Path, and a popular circular 6.8km hike includes Stackpole, Barafundle, Bosherston, and Broad Haven South.
Hike Highlights: Dunes, Cliffs, and Lily Ponds
The hike starts at the National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay, leading over cliffs and down pine-fringed steps to the pristine sands of Barafundle Bay. The remoteness is a selling point for those seeking a quiet beach free from chip shops and arcades. The steps are not steep but may challenge those with mobility difficulties.
From Barafundle, the route follows the Pembrokeshire Coast Path westward to Broad Haven South, a vast sandy expanse. The return journey goes inland through tranquil woodlands. A detour to Bosherston village offers the Bosherston Lakes, 74 acres of spring-fed, lily-covered water created in the 18th and 19th centuries, now a National Nature Reserve home to dragonflies, coots, moorhens, mute swans, herons, and kingfishers.
Refueling Options and Stunning Views
In Bosherston, St. Govan's Inn offers country pub vibes with local ingredients and cask ales. Back at Stackpole, The Boathouse Tea-room, managed by the National Trust, serves soup, pastries, sandwiches, cakes, ice cream, and cream tea. The hike ends at the starting point, with memories of a beach that Timeout described as "the perfect swimming spot" with routes for ramblers along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
According to Portia Jones, Senior Journalist at What's On, who visited the beach: "I went to visit as part of a coastal hike to see what all the fuss is about, and I was utterly blown away."
